Image of Vintage Maekake Apron: Setoda Fertiliser Company

Vintage Maekake Apron: Setoda Fertiliser Company

£55


This item is currently out of stock

We found these original vintage maekake in Japan and were super excited to bring them back.

The traditional Japanese shopkeepers’ apron or 'maekake' is ingrained into Japanese culture, and has been since as far back as the Edo period. Usually dyed with indigo and woven from heavyweight cotton, maekake were historically worn by staff at small manufacturers, stores and breweries throughout the country due to their durability. The company logo would be emblazoned on the front.

Worn around the front of the body and tied at the hips, they’re now making a comeback with a resurging appreciation for Japanese utilitarian and workwear design.

These aprons have their own distinctive heavyweight cotton feel and have been crafted to feature a defining fringed hem and contrasting waistband.

OK, so fertiliser may not be the sexiest thing going, but how else are you gonna get that sourdough bread? Power to the workers! This apron was for a fertiliser manufacturer in the town of Setoda. It looks to be a more recent vintage piece and has pockets to the front.

One of a kind.


One size. Machine washable. We advise watching separately or using a colour catcher, and ironing out creases first, as the apron has been dyed with indigo. This piece has been laundered and mended but as it is vintage it won’t be in perfect as-new condition. That’s part of its story.

Presented in a Japanese paper rice bag.

Related Products